fairlead: Meaning and Definition of

fair•lead

Pronunciation: (fâr'lēd"), [key]
— n.
  1. a pulley, thimble, etc., used to guide a rope forming part of the rigging of a ship, crane, etc., in such a way as to prevent chafing.
  2. (on power shovels or cranes) a swiveling mounting for sheaves, over which cables pass.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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